Modal verbs

You are here

Modal verbs

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on.

Comments

Sir, Though I know that we can't use 'Could' for past until we have two occasions, one of which shows past like this (I could run fast when I was a child) But with adverb like 'past and before' Can we use 'Could' like this I can't do it now But I could do it before or in the past or Just simply I could do it before or should we always say I was able to do this ?

hello
can you help me with this:
1. Choose the best answer to complete the following:
1) You will have to carry out the agreed program....... your own personal feelings
a) no matter
b) whatever
c) whatever are
d) however

Thanks! Of the available answers, I'd say b) is the best, though really I think the best way to write this would be 'You will have to carry out the agreed program whatever your own personal feelings are'.

No, 'would' isn't used this way to refer to probability in the present or in the past. You could use it to refer to a past habit, but if you're not certain about that habit, you'd have to use a different construction, e.g. 'I imagine he would begin his days with a cup of tea in those days'. Though to be honest, it sounds a bit odd to use 'would' to refer to a past habit when you're not certain so I wouldn't recommend it. I'd probably just say 'I imagine he began his days with a cup of tea.'